I
often wonder what it would feel like to be a celebrity - to know that any
act, small or big, in your personal life can spark debates on TV channels and
hashtags on social media, to know that there are millions of people who try to
emulate you, and who are willing to lay down their life for you. What actually
makes it overwhelming is the fact that these millions don't know you
personally, and you haven't met, heard or seen anyone of them (at lease
consciously). It is power of its own kind, and I can imagine it is easy to be
drunk with this power. Today's blog is about one such celebrity, who hogged the
limelight and headlines last week. Pretty obvious, the Bhai of Bollywood.
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Let
me clarify at the outset that this blog is not a reaction to Bombay High
Court's suspension of Salman's sentence in the Hit-and-Run case, and neither is
this a character assassination of Salman Khan. A lot has already been written
and I really don't care if he is an angel from heaven or devil incarnate, he
still makes terrible movies. This blog is slightly inspired by the plethora of
reactions generated by #SalmanVerdict and the utter pointlessness of them.
First
off, my response to his ardent fans : Refer to my first paragraph, and realize
that since you don't know him personally, any attempt to defend him, that is
not supported by hard facts, is illogical. Sure, he might be big on charities,
but you really don't know where the proceeds for that charity come from. And if
he is so generous of heart, he doesn't need to publicize it (remember the
saying : Neki kar dariya mein daal). And true, the story of how he adopted a
young girl from the streets and raised her well and gave her a big bang wedding
is moving, it still doesn't compensate for taking somebody else's life due to
sheer irresponsibility. Oh, and for those who say that him entertaining and
inspiring so many people with his films is charity in itself (yes, this
argument was made - I am glad we don't have a jury system), it would have made
sense if he hadn't been paid for it. And the "Tere Naam" hairstyle is
probably the worst thing he ever inflicted on the masses, in my humble opinion.
Now,
my take on the reactions from his Bollywood buddies: I kind of get it, you
know. Think about it yourself, you know someone, you work with them, share a
good rapport with them, and then they get caught for doing something illegal,
you don't start hating them altogether, and don't rejoice at them being caught,
at least not openly. You either stand by them, or reserve your comments (a
luxury most Bolly celebs don't avail). It's just human nature. And let's not
forget that Salman is one of the most powerful people in Bollywood. A lot of
the young actors who supported him on social media owe their filmy career to
him. He has been responsible for the careers of a certain Superman, a certain
Fukra, a certain Shona, and also the career (or lack thereof) of a certain
ex-boyfriend of a certain ex-girlfriend. So they are not going to point a
finger at him. Probably the only young celeb who kind of hinted that he may
have been in the wrong, is the daughter of a Bollywood veteran known to speak
his mind, and so she has strong backing of her own and can say it. We'll see
what she says if a celebrated director-cum-showhost gets in trouble. The
reactions of these celebs are results of the relationships in Bollywood, and
one can't really judge them.
The
reactions that you CAN judge, are by a popular singer and a socialite. They
suggested that the poor people who got harmed by Salman's car should not have
slept on the footpath. And this is the point where the actual issue at hand
comes up: CHOICE. Those people injured and killed by Salman's car did not have
any other choice but sleep at the footpath. Had they had one, I am pretty sure
they won't have slept there. Salman, on the other hand, had the choice to 1.
Not drive when he is that drunk, 2. Not run away from his blunder.
You
see, this case is not about whether Salman is a good guy or a bad guy. The case
is about the choices he made, and their consequences - for the poor chap who
died on the street under his car, and for the rich spoiled brat who was driving
it. This case is about driving under influence, and hitting and running. A wealthy
man like himself could have called a driver (it may not have been as thrilling
as driving when you have the rush of alcohol, but it won't have cost someone
their life). Even if he did what the Court says he did, he could have taken
that man to the hospital, or at least not let his poor driver take the blame
some thirteen years later. Life would have been easier for him that way, not
that it is too difficult now. Sure, Salman must have transformed from the
drunk, animal hunting, girlfriend beating brat he allegedly was, to a man with
the heart of gold - but the choices he made stick, with him and with the people
he hurt. And everyone should face the music. Whether or not the system delivers
is a different story altogether.
My
last word is to all those responsible citizens of the country who rejoiced when
he was convicted and were appalled when he got the bail: Don't make the same
mistakes he made. Otherwise you lose the right to self-righteousness. Next time
you go to a pub, and have had a little too much to drink, make the right choice
and call a cab. Don't drink and drive.
